Sept. 12, 2004
POCATELLO, Idaho - Cal Poly scored three touchdowns by its defensive unit, including two interception returns, en route to a 35-20 victory over Idaho State in a non-conference football game Saturday night in Holt Arena.
Jordan Beck and Joey Warren returned interceptions for touchdowns and Gabe Dal Porto recovered an Idaho State fumble in the endzone for the clinching score as Cal Poly improved to 2-0 on the year. Idaho State fell to 0-2.
Cal Poly led 28-17 at halftime and held Idaho State to just one field goal in the second half. Dal Porto's recovery of a Bengal fumble with 57 seconds remaining in the third quarter sealed Idaho State's fate.
It was Cal Poly's first win over Idaho State in 21 years and snapped the Bengals' four-game winning streak over the Mustangs.
Idaho State had won its previous five home openers under head coach Larry Lewis and averaged 50.8 points in those five contests.
Cal Poly took advantage of six Idaho State turnovers, including four interceptions. In addition to Beck and Warren, Karl Ivory and Aaron Williams also intercepted Bengal passes.
Mustang senior linebacker Jordan Beck broke Cal Poly's school record for career tackles held by Gary Swanson from 1981-84. Beck, who broke the mark late in the first half with his 327th career tackle, finished Saturday's game with eight tackles and now has 329 for his career.
Two of Cal Poly's four first-half touchdowns were scored by the defense.
Beck returned an interception 40 yards for a score with 6:43 left in the first quarter, erasing an early 3-0 Idaho State lead. It was Beck's second interception return for a touchdown this season. He scored two touchdowns on fumble returns earlier in his Mustang career.
Beck's two interceptions this season are the first of his Cal Poly career.
Joey Warren, a senior cornerback who was a wide receiver his first three seasons as a Mustang, returned another Idaho State pass 24 yards for a second-quarter touchdown and a 21-10 Cal Poly lead.
Cal Poly also scored in the first half on a one-yard run by fullback Adam Martinez and a 24-yard halfback pass from Darrell Jones to Jonah Russell late in the second quarter, giving the Mustangs a 28-17 lead at the half.
Jones' career passing totals include a 4-for-4 reading for 83 yards and one score. He has scored touchdowns in five different ways for Cal Poly -- receiving, kickoff return, punt return, rushing and passing.
Idaho State scored in the first half on a 40-yard field goal by Jaret Johnson and two touchdown passes by Mark Hetherington -- a 23-yarder to Sale Key and a 26-yarder to Akilah Lacey.
Cal Poly ended Idaho State's 12-game home winning streak dating back to the 2001 season finale against Eastern Washington.
Mustang quarterback Cordel Webb completed eght of 18 passes for 152 yards with two interceptions. Jones caught four Mustang passes for 74 yards and Russell had a pair of catches for 76 yards.
Adam George was Cal Poly's top rusher with 46 yards on seven carries. Geno Randle added 39 yards on 14 trips while Webb had 39 yards on 17 carries.
Hetherington, who passed 62 times for 300 yards last week against San Diego State, was 21 of 42 for 291 yards and two scores with four interceptions.
Cal Poly amassed 357 yards in total offense and was balanced -- 181 rushing and 176 passing. Idaho State was held to minus-6 yards rushing and 285 yards in total offense.
Cal Poly hits the road again next Saturday, visiting Bozeman, Mont., to play Montana State. Kickoff at Bobcat Stadium is set for 12:05 p.m. PDT.
